The easiest thing you can do to increase your feelings of happiness is to focus on being grateful. By appreciating all that you have, you can open the door to receiving even more. That's the magic of being thankful.

It might be the path of least resistance to grumble about what you may not have—that fancy car, the exciting job, or the house suitable for a magazine spread. It could be easy to moan about the problems that you encounter each day, too— circumstances like challenges at work, rude people on the highway, or difficulties in your finances.

You could worry about your problems, or you could choose to focus your mind on what currently works well in your life. Maybe you have treasured friends you're thankful for, or a spouse who loves you dearly. Be thankful for the precious things and relationships that you have in your life, and more positive things will come your way.

You might be saying that you don't have much to be thankful for right now. No matter how challenging your life has been up to this point, you will be able to find many things that you can appreciate. No matter how broke or lonely you are right this minute, giving thanks for what you have will help to bring you more of the abundance that you deserve.

When you wake up in the morning, you have another opportunity to make a difference in the world. Maybe the day before, you were in a bad temper and hurt someone's feelings with your comments. But this is a brand-new day, and you have a choice as to how you will spend your allotted 1,440 minutes in twenty-four hours.

Why not spend your time being grateful for the gifts you've been given? Being able to wake up to another day is a blessing in itself. Breathing the fresh air, smelling a flower, petting a dog—these things are small gifts for which to be thankful. So next time you find yourself complaining that life is too tough, stop—and give thanks for all the wonderful things that you have in your life right now.

© Kathy Sanborn
Life Channels Staff Writer
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